Bulawayo is set to host an exciting clash as the Zimbabwe Women’s cricket team prepares to face the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Women in a white-ball series beginning next week.
Zimbabwe Cricket confirmed that the series will feature four one-day internationals (ODIs) and two Twenty20 internationals (T20Is), forming a crucial part of Zimbabwe’s preparations for major international assignments ahead.
The tour will kick off with a 50-over warm-up match on Wednesday, 24 September, when a Zimbabwe ‘A’ Women’s side takes on UAE Women at Bulawayo Athletic Club. The official action begins two days later, with the first ODI scheduled for Friday, 26 September, at Queens Sports Club. The remaining ODIs will be played at the same venue on 28 and 30 September and 2 October, with all matches starting at 0915 hours.
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Once the ODI series concludes, focus will shift to the shortest format, with the two T20Is slated for 5 and 6 October, also at Queens Sports Club, with a 1330 hours start time.
The UAE tour comes at a pivotal moment for Zimbabwe Women, who are riding high after their recent success at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier held in Namibia earlier this month. That victory booked them a place at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2026 in Nepal, scheduled for January and February next year. The tournament will be the final step toward qualifying for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Beyond the T20 focus, this series will serve as vital preparation for Zimbabwe’s historic debut in the ICC Women’s Championship, where they are set to face New Zealand away in February-March 2026. Zimbabwe Women were included in the prestigious Championship for the first time following its expansion to 11 teams in November 2024. Now in its fourth edition, the Championship is the key qualification pathway to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2029.
Head Coach Walter Chawaguta stressed the importance of the UAE series in building momentum for what lies ahead. “The UAE series is very important to us and it fits perfectly in our plans as we prepare for the Global Qualifier early next year,” he said. “It gives us the momentum that we need as a team and, at the same time, it also gives us an opportunity to look at some of the players who have been out due to injury and are now making a comeback.
The timing is also good because it allows us enough space after the series to regroup and address any issues that may have come up. UAE are a good side, with strong batters and bowlers, and they will challenge us as we get ready for the Qualifier.”
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